CF Montréal has kicked off its preparations for the 2026 Major League Soccer season with a significant roster move and the announcement of its preseason training camp squad. The club confirmed on Friday the signing of free agent forward Daniel Rios and revealed the list of 29 players who will begin camp this weekend.
Rios Joins Montreal Attack
The headline addition is Mexican forward Daniel Rios, who joins on a contract for the 2026 season with club options for 2027 and 2028. Rios spent the 2025 campaign with the Vancouver Whitecaps, where he recorded three goals and three assists in 31 appearances across all competitions. He was on loan from Liga MX powerhouse Deportivo Guadalajara during his stint on the West Coast.
This move provides CF Montréal with an experienced attacking option as they look to improve their offensive output for the coming season. Rios will be aiming to secure a more prominent role and increase his contribution in front of goal with his new club.
Preseason Schedule and Key Dates
The team's preseason officially gets underway on Saturday, January 10, 2026, with medical examinations and physical testing. The squad will not be in Montreal for long, as they are scheduled to depart for Spain on Tuesday, January 13.
CF Montréal will spend approximately two and a half weeks at a training camp in Spain, where they will play two friendly matches as part of their preparation. This international camp is a crucial period for new head coach Marco Donadel to implement his tactics and assess his squad.
The 2026 MLS regular season begins for Montreal on February 21 in San Diego. Fans at Saputo Stadium will get their first look at the revamped squad during the home opener on April 11.
Full Training Camp Roster Breakdown
The club released a 29-player roster for the camp, featuring a mix of returning veterans, new signings, and promising academy talents. Players listed in bold are new additions to the CF Montréal first-team setup this preseason.
Goalkeepers (3): Sébastian Breza, Thomas Gillier, Jonathan Sirois.
Defenders (10): Dawid Bugaj, Brandan Craig, Aleksandr Guboglo, Bode Hidalgo, Jahkeele Marshall-Rutty, Efrain Morales, Jalen Neal, Josh-Duc Nteziryayo, Luca Petrasso, Dagur Dan Thorhallsson, Brayan Vera.
Midfielders (9): Olger Escobar, Fabian Herbers, Ivan Jaime, Matty Longstaff, Ivan Losenko, Victor Loturi, Mahala Opoku, Samuel Piette, Hennadii Synchuk.
Forwards (4): Owen Graham-Roache, Sunusi Ibrahim, Prince Owusu, Daniel Rios.
The club has also invited two players from its academy to train with the first team: goalkeeper Samsy Keita and midfielder Aghilas Sadek.
Coaching Staff for 2026
Leading the team into the new era is head coach Marco Donadel. He will be supported by assistant coaches Philippe Eullaffroy, Jacopo Falanga, Francesco Morara, and Lorenzo Pinzauti. Vincenzo Benvenuto takes on the role of goalkeeper coach, while Stefano Pasquali serves as the head of performance. The staff is rounded out by physical performance coach Paul Bowera, strength and conditioning coach Dhia Amara, and video analyst Elliott Jealous.
This comprehensive preseason setup indicates a serious and structured approach from CF Montréal as they aim to build a competitive team for the challenges of the 2026 MLS season. The integration of new signings like Daniel Rios during the Spain camp will be a key storyline to watch.
